The 24th annual solstice parade will shine brightly on the streets of Eastsound this weekend. Participants will gather on Haven Road by the Odd Fellows Hall on Saturday, June 22. The parade begins at noon and will march down Main St. and then turn into the Village Green. This year’s theme is “Under One Sky.” There are no motorized vehicles, written words or live animals allowed. There will be a temporary road closure for the parade between 11:55 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. from Haven to Main and North Beach to A Street.

All are invited to join the parade and gather for post-parade celebrations and performances on the stage. Entertainment will be provided by Island Aerialists and the Orcas Dance Collective. Attendees can also enjoy the Yetti Calling Contest (with prizes) and Fashion Trashion Walk. Participants are encouraged to show off their creative costumes by joining in the fashion trashion show.

The Orcas Solstice Parade began in 1999 with Laura Gibbons’ vision. She had lived in Santa Barbara and saw her first Solstice Parade there in the late 1970s. When she moved to Orcas, she knew this was just the community to host an event like this.